The Third Annual Fall River Half Marathon and 5K—Race 12 in the New England Half Marathon TourThis is Fall River’s only half marathon, coming Sunday, October 19, 2014. It starts and ends at BK's Beacon Tavern in the North End of Fall River near the Route 79-Route 24 split, and it includes a 5K and loads of fun. This is one of the original Half Marathons in the surging New England Half Marathon Tour, following two in New Hampshire and another two in Maine. It is a moderately challenging but enjoyable course, whether it’s your first or 101st.

Back for the third year in Fall River, Massachusetts this event has the running world buzzing. It is another race in the increasingly popular series, the New England Half Marathon Tour 2014. Everyone, it seems, is doing half marathons these days, and here is one for all comers, all paces. It is a moderately challenging course with a few testing hills to make it more inviting and more satisfying when crossing that finish line. It comes with an accompanying 5K for friends and family not ready for 13.1, and it has very good amenities.

Best of all, it benefits famous Battleship Cove with 20% of proceeds and provides discount entry (with registration) for participants into that historic site with historic ships and museums. Three local cross country teams will also benefit, so know that part of your registration fee will go to strengthen the running community and to historic preservation. The local high school cross country and track teams from Durfee High School, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, and Bishop Connolly High School will be helping out with water stops and course connections so they get a taste of big time road racing.

Half marathoners will receive custom tech shirts and finisher medals and 5K runners get unique cotton T-shirts. Overall winners and age group winners three deep will receive pint glasses, a nice touch to remember Fall River and this event.

Fall River is easy to get to via Interstate 195 or Route 24, and is only minutes from Providence and under an hour from Boston. However, runners will be coming from all over New England and New York for this celebration of running in the “Spindle City”, also known as the “Scholarship City”. Now it is also known as the “Half Marathon City”. Please visit the race website for details and photos, results, registration, testimonials, directions and parking, course info and maps, awards, and more: http://www.fallriverhalfmarathon.com/

The Yankee Timing Company will be using the “B tag” Chronotrack system (timing chip built into the race bib) so you know the results will be both accurate and immediate. A well supported course promises fast times and runners will be rewarded with fresh fruit and pastries at the end, plus a free beer at host Beacon Light Tavern where the race finishes. It is presented by 3C Race Productions.

The Half Marathon will start at 9:00 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9:30. The races begin and end at BK's Beacon Tavern, 320 Airport Road, Fall River, MA 02720 (FYI, you may want to have more than one beer at this fine tavern). This establishment prides itself on “Great people, great food, and a great atmosphere.” Known for its menu as well as live music, you should definitely put the Beacon Light Tavern on your list for lunch or dinner: http://www.bksbeacontavern.com// or 508-675-5044.

"I will definitely be back for the third year and have told my friends they have to do it."

The Course
The course runs through the north end, including the Fall River Industrial Park and Meridian Street. The 5K is a modified lollipop route with a clockwise loop. Both are relatively flat, well marked and supported (including those cross country and track teams cheering at water stops). Fall River’s North End lies between North Watuppa Pond and Mt. Hope Bay, the deep water harbor that helped to make Fall River into an industrial power. See the excellent maps on the race website for course maps and directions.

The Half Marathon course starts on Commerce Way opposite the Fire Station and runs around the building opposite the Fire Station. The course turns right and continues to the end of Commerce Way, going counterclockwise around the rotary and returning back Commerce Way onto Airport Road past the starting line all the way to Riggenbach Road. The course turns right on Riggenbach Road, right on Wilson Road, and then left on Meridian Street. The course continues to the turnaround point on Meridian Street just before the Route 24 overpass. The course continues back Meridian Street, Wilson Road, and Riggenbach Road. At the intersection of Riggenbach Road and Airport Road the course continues on Riggenbach Road all the way to the Freetown Route 24 exit where the course turns around and returns to Airport Road. The course turns right on Airport Road, right on Commerce Drive and then right into the Beacon Light Tavern Parking Lot and the triumphant finish line.

Battleship Cove - Discounts
Fall River is famous for its incredible history, and today much of the naval history of the nation is visible in this incredible collection, the centerpiece of which is the USS Massachusetts, the Second World War era ship which was built right on the Massachusetts South Shore at the Quincy/Fore River Shipyard.

The Massachusetts, at 35,000 tons and 680 feet in length, was the largest vessel ever built at Quincy. She was launched just before the US entered World War II on September 23, 1941 and served throughout the war, first in the Atlantic Fleet and then in the Pacific. This ship had nine huge 16-inch guns which fired 2,700 pound projectiles over 20 miles. The USS Massachusetts was the battleship that fired the first of these type guns in the war (off Morocco) and the last such shells at the end of the war. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a US National Historic Landmark.

The Battleship Cove collection also includes the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (destroyer), the USS Lionfish (submarine), the Hiddensee, a Soviet era East German warship, several PT Boats, and more. Your registration for the race will involve discounts for Battleship Cove; Race Participants get a discount and enter for only $13.00, $8.00 for kids (under six free). The entrance is located at 5 Water Street. Please visit

The City of Fall River
The city has a long, storied, impressive history. It was named for the falling waters of the Quequechan River, which had over seven different waterfalls as it made its way down through the center of the town to the deep water harbor of Mt. Hope Bay, which connects to Narragansett Bay. Both the harbor and the waterpower of the rivers and ponds made this into a top textile manufacturing center, once second only to Manchester, England in output. Its unique geography and history make it a very interesting location to visit (and run through). Dr. Irvin Fradkin launched Dollars for Scholars here; granite quarried here has been used in famous buildings from Newport Mansions to government buildings, and of course many of the famous mill buildings of the city were constructed using the local stone. From marine history to Lizzie Borden, interesting architecture (including the only City Hall Built directly over an Interstate highway) to diverse cultures, this is a very interesting destination city, and well worth a visit. It is part of the Providence, Rhode Island Metro area and some of the best New England Beaches are close by.

"They have done a great job with this event and who knew Fall River was so interesting and enjoyable."

3C Race Productions
This company produces many races, including the Wolf Hollow Half Marathon and the Monadnock and Black Bear Half Marathons (August 10 and 24 respectively). They are the developers of the New England Half Marathon Tour, which includes such top events as the upcoming Colt State Park Half Marathon (Rhode Island, November 19) and many more. This is a full service professional organization that manages and produces events all over New England and sometimes beyond—over 125 events per year, including road races, trail races, triathlons, biathlons and snow shoe competitions. Founded in 2002, this company has helped provide funds and donations for many non-profits totaling about 1.75 million dollars for a variety of charities.

This is Your Half Marathon
You have been getting ready to do one this fall, so here it is. This is geared to be friendly to first time half marathoners but experienced veterans will enjoy it too. This is definitely one you should do. Fall River is a unique place for many reasons, and there will be lots to see (especially Battleship Cove) before and after the races. http://www.fallriverhalfmarathon.com/

Enjoy the fun at a very different and enjoyable event in a very special and resurgent location. The awards, the raffle and post race festivities with fruit and pastries will be a lot of fun. For additional information you can contact Michael Amarello at 603-429-8879 or by e-mail at michael@3Craceproductions.com. Once again, the Beacon Light Tavern is located at 320 Airport Road, Fall River, MA 02720.

Registration is very reasonable but don’t delay, you can save money over race day registration. You will want to get one of those custom shirts and mark this unique half marathon in your running log.